South32 exceeds GEMCO manganese FY25 output guidance

South32 has exceeded its Australia 1 mt manganese production guidance for FY2025, with an output of 1.1 mt for year ending June, following the resumption of GEMCO exports in May.

“Australia Manganese successfully resumed export shipments during the quarter, marking a significant recovery from the impacts caused by Tropical Cyclone Megan,” said South32 CEO Graham Kerr. “Shipping rates are expected to reach full capacity in the September 2025 quarter.”

In its latest quarterly results, the world’s largest manganese producer kept its output guidance for FY2026 unchanged at 5.2 mt, with Australian output forecast at 3.2 mt and 2.0 mt for South Africa.

The average realised prices achieved for Australian high-grade manganese was $3.68/dmtu FOB for FY25, down from $3.77/dmtu FOB in the previous year. The average grade sold from Australia was 41.7% manganese ore, down from the previous year’s 42.5% grade.

In South Africa, the Mamatwan mine produced 593,000 t in April-June period, up 25% from the previous quarter. For the year, production was 2.15 mt, up from 2.18 mt in the previous year.

The average realised prices achieved for South Africa semi-carbonate manganese was $3.71/dmtu FOB for FY25, up from $3.53/dmtu FOB in the previous year. The average ore grade sold was 38.9% manganese ore, up slightly from the previous year’s 38.8% grade.

Operating costs for its South African mine was $3.00/dmtu for FY25.